Plowing practices questioned in Freetown

Highway Surveyor Charles Macomber has often been praised for his department’s management of town roads during snowstorms and throughout the winter season.

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By Jeffrey D. WagnerCorrespondent

The Taunton Daily Gazette, Taunton, MA

By Jeffrey D. WagnerCorrespondent

Posted Mar. 28, 2014 at 11:19 PM
Updated Mar 28, 2014 at 11:22 PM

By Jeffrey D. WagnerCorrespondent

Posted Mar. 28, 2014 at 11:19 PM
Updated Mar 28, 2014 at 11:22 PM

» Social News

FREETOWN — Highway Surveyor Charles Macomber has often been praised for his department’s management of town roads during snowstorms and throughout the winter season.

This year, however, the surveyor has come under fire, as the plowing of Chace Road became the subject of debate at last Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting.

Joseph Montour, a Chace Road resident who videotapes traffic passing by his property, said two trucks plow the road within minutes of each other. He said the first truck plows the snow, while the second truck appears to do nothing.

He said that, given that the town pays close to $60 an hour to plow-truck drivers, such a move is difficult to understand.

“In a lot of cases, there is two trucks,” Montour said. “The second truck is consequently doing nothing and that is my opinion.”

Macomber could not be reached for comment.

Selectmen, through Town Administrator Richard Brown, investigated the issue. Brown told Montour on Monday that the second truck pushes slush off the roadway before it turns into ice.

Selectwoman Lisa Pacheco said this practice is not widespread in town. She said the Highway Department will double-plow Chace Road, a major thoroughfare, because ambulances use it to get to Route 140, or even Assonet Village, which straddles Route 24.

Pacheco said another major road, Chipaway Road, is plowed only once.

Selectman Lee Baumgartner said Dr. Braley Road is plowed only once, as is the case with the streets in most residential areas.

Selectmen Chairman Paul Sadeck reminded Montour that snow is a line item on which communities can overspend. Sadeck said the town usually sets aside $100,000, but that in winters like this one, it is not uncommon to more than double the budgeted amount.

Sadeck also urged Montour to come up with a suggestion to address the issue.